We present a system for protein crystal micromanipulation with focus
on automated crystal mounting for the purposes of X-ray data
collection. The system features a set of newly designed
micropositioner end-effectors we call microshovels which address some
of the limitation of the traditional cryogenic loops. We have used
micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) techniques to design and
manufacture various shapes and quantities of microshovels. Visual
feedback from a camera mounted on the microscope is used to control
the micropositioner as it lowers a microshovel into the liquid
containing the crystals and approaches a selected crystal for pickup.
We present experimental results that illustrate the applicability of
our approach.